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My Life Has Given Me Gifts

A reflection included on page 33 of Seeking the One Whom We Love: How RSCJ Pray

by Dolores Copeland, RSCJ

I cannot imagine not having Christian Meditation as a part of my daily, ordinary, day by day life. Christian Meditation is simplicity itself, but simple does not mean easy.

My life has given me gifts. If I were asked to state, at this time in my life, my three greatest gifts, I would answer: 1) the gift of my life, 2) the gift of my vocation as an RSCJ, and 3) the gift of knowing Christian Meditation.

Christian Meditation is the prayer of the heart – the prayer of faith. In silence we accept that God knows our needs and will eventually complete us. Learning to be attentive teaches us to be silent. Learning to be silent teaches us to pray. Learning to be silent eventually teaches us to pray as Jesus summons and as Saint Paul calls – pray without ceasing – pray always.

To meditate is to decide to restore a healthy, dynamic balance to life. (Laurence Freeman) The mantra, prayer word or sacred word, is an ascesis – not a tool or a technique, but a commitment to a spiritual path and the daily, steady discipline this entails. It is a work of love. It releases a transformative power in us if meditation is part of our life day by day. Every time we sit down to meditate there is a dying and rebirth. The personal, inner change in us as we meditate can be described in what Saint Paul tells us is the harvest of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, fidelity, gentleness and self-control. (Galatians 5:5)

One of the joys in my life at present is the possibility I have to teach Christian Meditation to children. Children take to meditation very naturally. They are, by nature, simple. They ask to meditate, they appreciate learning to meditate and they thank me for the opportunity. A sixth grade child said to me. “Thank you for teaching me to meditate. I absolutely love meditation, and I meditate in my room at home. It has really helped me to calm down.”